Polynomial, mathematical expression which is a finite sum, each term being a constant times a product of one or more variables raised to powers. With only one variable the general form of a polynomial is a0xn+a1xn-1+a2xn-2+…+an-1x+an where n is a positive integer and a0, a1, a2, … , an are any numbers. An example of a polynomial in one variable is 11x4-3x3+7x2+x-8. The degree of a polynomial in one variable is the highest power of the variable appearing with a nonzero coefficient; in the example given above, the degree is 4.

[poly–, + (bi)nomial.] (adjective) Of, relating to, or consisting of more than two names or terms. (noun) A taxonomic designation consisting of more than two terms. Mathematics An algebraic expression consisting of one or more summed terms, each term consisting of a constant multiplier and one or more variables raised to integral powers. For example, x 2 − 5 x + 6 and 2 p 3 q + y are polynomials. Also called multinomial An expression of two or more terms